On a rainy Saturday morning, a strong contingent from the Asheville Running Collective headed down to nearby Brevard, NC for the 3rd edition of the Oskar Blues 4 Miler. This race, put on by friend-of-ARC "Wild" Bill Baldwin, has been on the to-do list for the club for the last couple of years. This year, we were finally able to give it a go.

The race did not disappoint. Bill's organization was top notch, the turnout was robust, the competition was fierce up front, and the post-race burgers and beer at Oskar Blues Brewing made the whole trip worth it. Just before the start time, the rain let up and the runners were gifted with cool, overcast conditions. Overall, it was a great set up to run fast.

The race began with a lead pack of 8 runners. Club rival, and Brevard, NC native, Jesse McIntyre broke away in the middle miles of the race and ran strong for first place in 20:44 (just off the course record). The ARC took six of the next eight spots, led by the trio of Chass Armstrong (2nd) in 20:53, Phil Latter (3rd) in 20:56, and Frankie Adkins (4th) in 21:08. Javan Lapp (5th), Scott Williams (7th), and Dave Workman (9th) rounded out the scoring for the Collective.

The spring racing season is just heating up for many of our guys. Frankie is in the middle of a three week racing campaign that began with a 32:38 10k PR at last week's Reedy River Run. His focus is now set on this coming Friday's Masters National Indoor Track Championship 3000m. Chass is in the midst of marathon training and will look to post another strong result next weekend at the Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon, where he will race alongside his ARC teammate, Peyton Hoyal. Finally, Javan will take to the track at next week's 49er Classic, at his alma mater UNC-Charlotte, for a fast 1500m. Devote to the Goat! Fear the Pony!